Romans 8:16

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: THE SPIRIT ITSELF, [ auto (G846) to (G3588) pneuma (G4151)] - it should be 'Himself.' It is unfortunate that our English version here and elsewhere follows the Greek construction, which requires the pronoun to be in the neuter gender, to agree with the noun which in that language is neuter. Even in the Greek original of John 16:13 - where it was of special importance to mark that what was meant by this neuter noun was a living Person-there, even in the Greek, the masculine pronoun, "HE," is used [ ekeinos ...

16._The Spirit himself_, _etc. _He does not simply say, that God’s Spirit is a witness to our spirit, but he adopts a compound verb, which might be rendered “contest,” (_contestatur _,) were it not that contestation (_contestatio _) has a different meaning in Latin. But Paul means, that the Spirit of God gives us such a testimony, that when he is our guide and teacher, our spirit is made assured of the adoption of God: for our mind of its own self, without the preceding testimony of the Spirit, could not convey to us this assurance. There is also here an explanation of the former verse; for when the Spirit testifies to us, that we are the children of God, he at the same time pours into our hearts such confidence, that we venture to call God our Father. And doubtless, since the confidence of the heart alone opens our mouth, except the Spirit testifies to our heart respecting the paternal...

10-17 If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed, secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually live according to corrupt lustings, they will certainly perish in their sins, whatever they profess. And what can a worldly life present, worthy for a moment to be put against this noble prize of our high calling? Let us then, by the Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children; they have not the spirit of b...

Verse Romans 8:16. _THE SPIRIT ITSELF BEARETH WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT_] αυτο το πνευμα, that same Spirit, the Spirit of adoption; that is, the Spirit who witnesses this adoption; which can be no other than the Holy Ghost himself, and certainly cannot mean any _disposition_ or _affection_ of mind which the adopted person may feel; for such a disposition must arise from a knowledge of this adoption, and the knowledge of this adoption cannot be given by any human or earthly means; it must come from God himself: therefore the αυτοτοπνευμα must have reference to that Spirit, by whom alone the knowledge of the adoption is witnessed to the soul of the believer. _WITH OUR SPIRIT_] In our _understanding_, the place or recipient of light and information; and the place or faculty to which such information can properly be brought. This is done that we ma

THE SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit here is intended, is evident, * Because this is the natural meaning of the expression; * Because it is of the Holy Spirit that the apostle is mainly treating here; * Because it would be an unnatural and forced construction to say of the temper of adoption that it bore witness. BEARETH WITNESS - Testifies, gives evidence. WITH OUR SPIRIT - To our minds. This pertains to the adoption; and it means that the Holy Spirit furnishes evidence to our minds that we are adopted into the family of God. This effect is not infrequently attributed to the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1Jo 5:10-11;...

EXPOSITION ROMANS 8:1 (_c_) _The blessed condition and assured hope of such as are in Christ _Jesus. The summary of the contents of this chapter, which follows the Exposition, may be referred to in the first place by the student, so as to assist comprehension of the line of thought. ROMANS 8:1 THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. (The additional words of this verse in the Textus Receptus have but slight support, having probably been supplied from Romans 8:4. They are out of place here.) "Nunc venit ad liberationem et libertatem. Non autem ponit adversativam δὲ, _autem,_ sed conclusivam a!ra, erg

THE SPIRIT ITSELF BEARETH WITNESS,.... The thing which the Spirit of God witnesses to is, THAT WE ARE THE SONS OF GOD; which supposes the case in some sense doubtful and uncertain, at least that it is called in question; not by others, though it sometimes is, as by Satan, which need not seem strange, since he called in question the sonship of Christ himself, and by the world who know them not, and by good men, till better informed: but the testimony of the Spirit is not the satisfaction of others, but the saints themselves; who are ready to doubt of it at times, because of the greatness of the favour, and their own sinfulness and unworthiness; especially after backslidings; through the temptations of the devil, and because of their many trials and afflictions. Now this witness of the Spirit is to establish and confirm it; not to make the thing itself surer, for that stands on the sure f...

This precious chapter reminds us of the description of the land of Havilah, «where there is gold, and the gold of that land is good.» Romans 8:1. _There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,_ There is no condemnation to them; that is gone, and gone for ever. Not only is part of it removed, but the whole of it is gone: «There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.» This is their legal status before God, in Christ Jesus, without condemnation; and this is their character: Romans 8:1. _Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit._ Their daily conversation is according to their new spiritual nature, and according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and not according to their fleshly nature, and the guida

CHILDREN (Greek, "teknon", "one born," a "child" (and so in (Romans 8:17); (Romans 8:21); not, as in (Romans 8:14); "sons" (Greek, "huios"). See (Galatians 4:1); (Galatians 4:7) where babyhood and sonhood are contrasted. Also "Adoption"; (Romans 8:15); (Romans 8:23); (Ephesians 1:5)

CHAPTER 8 _ 1. In Christ; no Condemnation but Deliverance. (Romans 8:1 .)_ 2. Flesh and Spirit. (Romans 8:5 .) 3. The Body and the Spirit. (Romans 8:9 .) 4. Sons and Heirs of God. (Romans 8:12 .) 5. The Time of Travail and Groaning; the Future Redemption. (Romans 8:18 .) 6. The intercession of the Spirit. (Romans 8:26 .) 7. The Saints Calling; the Challenge and the Assurance. ...